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FFA Cup preview: Palm Beach v Western Sydney Wanderers

The Sharks have shown they are Queensland's FFA Cup Kings and are just 90 minutes away from another quarter-final appearance. But the Asian Kings’ new squad is gelling nicely, and rightly so the Wanderers are favourites against Grae Piddock’s semi pros from the Coast.

*Please note the draw for the Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Finals will be conducted tomorrow night on FOX SPORTS (Channel 503) after the regulation time of the four matches.

BLUFFER’S GUIDE

Home side the Sharks are back at Cbus for another major FFA Cup challenge, this time against the champions of Asia, Western Sydney Wanderers.

The PS4 Queensland NPL club survived a penalty shootout in the last round, knocking out the highly-fancied Victorian outfit South Melbourne in the process at the same, eye-catching venue.

Grae Piddick has shown he is a coach that has his side brilliantly organised and prepared. In some ways, he’s similar to Tony Popovic.

Expect the home side to again be resolute at the back to try frustrate the Wanderers. And with a postponed game on the weekend, they could be just that bit fresher. And they’ll need it.

After avoiding another embarrassing opening round Cup exit this year by beating Brisbane Roar, Tony Popovic’s side will now feel they can go deep into this year’s edition.

Their remodeled squad is building nicely and their imports are getting more acquainted to Popovic’s style, their new team-mates and Australian conditions.

It will take something special for the Sharks to get past the A-League powerhouse. You can be sure they will give it everything and more…but will it be enough?

WHAT THEY SAY

Eoghan Murphy (Palm Beach Sharks player)

“We’re all buzzing. This is what the Cup is about, drawing a big team playing in a stadium and causing an upset. It's what we do best. Every match is tough when it comes to the FFA Cup it doesn't matter who you face.”

Tony Popovic (Western Sydney Wanderers coach)

“It’s a big game. To have this [the FFA Cup] helps, having a target during pre-season and we’re all really looking forward to the game. The preparation this week has shown that the message about not taking this game too lightly has been heeded. On paper we should win but football doesn’t work that way and we need to be at our best to go through.”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

PALM BEACH SHARKS

League: PS4 NPL Queensland

Current ladder position: Fifth in PS4 NPL Queensland

Latest result: League game versus Brisbane City postponed due to weather